Postoperative outcomes with minimally invasive minor hepatectomy based on ECOG performance status - analysis of multi-institutional database.

OBJECTIVE

Minimally invasive liver resection (MILR) is associated with fewer postoperative complications compared to open liver resection. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) is a fast, reproducible patient selection tool used to guide therapy. We compared patient outcomes after MILR by ECOG PS.

METHODS

Non-cirrhotic patients undergoing MILR resection at one of 14 North American healthcare centers were identified from the Americas Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery (AMILES) database (2010-2024). Perioperative outcomes were compared between ECOG1 and ECOG2 patients. Multivariable analysis (MVA) was used to identify factors independently associated with postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Of 4,181 patients, 486 met our inclusion criteria. Median patient age was 62 years. Four-hundred twenty-eight patients (88.1%) were ECOG1. Overall postoperative complication rate was not lower in ECOG 1 patients compared to ECOG 2 patients on univariate (20.3 vs. 29.1%, p = 0.17), and MVA (aOR 0.60, p = 0.14). Robotic versus laparoscopic approach (aOR 0.52, p = 0.03) and use of intraoperative ablation versus no ablation (aOR 0.38, p = 0.03) were associated with decreased odds of postoperative complications. Intraoperative conversion from MILR to open was associated with increased odds of postoperative complications (aOR 2.22, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

In non-cirrhotic patients with ECOG2 performance status, minimally invasive minor liver resection may be considered with an acceptable complication rate similar to ECOG1 patients.